NYC “Showdown” announced for Cotto vs. Trout

By Mike Bernier
Photos: Hector Santos/Miguel Cotto Promotions

At the El Museo del Barrio Museum in East Harlem NYC, media and the general public were in attendance for the announcement of Puerto Rican superstar Miguel Cotto’s next fight. The fight is titled “Showdown” and will be on Saturday, December 1st. The fight will take place inside the newly renovated Madison Square Garden in Midtown Manhattan. Cotto (37-3, 30 KOs) will be facing a relatively unknown, undefeated southpaw world champion by the name of Austin “No Doubt” Trout (25-0, 14 KOs) in a twelve round WBA junior middleweight title fight. The event is promoted by Miguel Cotto Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions in association with Greg Cohen Promotions, sponsored by Corona and will be telecast live on Showtime Championship Boxing.

Cotto, a four-time and three-division champion, will be making his eighth headlining appearance at Madison Square Garden in front of his Puerto Rican contingent. “The fans here make me proud of the Puerto Rican heritage in New York,” said Cotto. “I’m not coming here to talk a lot. The camp just began two weeks ago. I’m going do the same as always. I’m going to train hard to beat my opponent and be champion of the world.”

Trout resides in Las Cruces, New Mexico and won the vacant WBA junior middleweight title last year in Guadalajara, Mexico. He defended his belt three times and recorded his last defense with a 12 round unanimous decision over Delvin Rodriguez as part of the Tarver vs. Kayode Showtime Championship Boxing undercard. This will be Trout’s first fight on the East Coast. The majority of his fights have taken place in the Southwest. “I’ve been in hostile waters before down in Mexico and it gave me experience for this fight. I have two things in this sport right now – my belt and my undefeated record and I plan to keep both of them,” said Trout.

Although Trout will have a 2 ½ inch height and 5 inch reach advantage, Cotto remains the favorite simply because he’s the more decorated and experienced fighter. After Cotto gave Floyd Mayweather Jr. his most competitive fight to date a win over Trout can open up options in the junior middleweight division. A fight with Canelo Alvarez or Sergio Martinez will be very likely. A rematch with either Mayweather or Pacquiao would also entice fight fans. These same opportunities may be possible for Trout if he wins.

Head of Showtime Sports Stephen Espinoza announced there will be an All Access: Cotto vs. Trout broadcast leading up to the “Showdown” on December 1st. ALL ACCESS: Cotto vs. Trout will take viewers behind the scenes as the fighters prepare for this event.